From: Donald D.Bottcher <info@midasgoldcomments.com>

Sent: Thursday, October 22, 2020 9:27 AM

To: Support Stibnite; jay.natoli@gmail.com; natalie

Subject: Move the Stibnite Gold Project Forward

Dear Payette National Forest Supervisor,

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Stibnite Gold Project as part of the U.S. Forest Service's permitting process. This is an important project for Valley County and will have a significant impact on the community. As someone who explores, plays and cares about this region of Idaho's backcountry, I want to make sure the Stibnite Gold Project is done the right way.

Alternative 2 provides a higher degree of safety for both the location of a new tailings storage facility as well the road options for accessing the site. Under this alternative, Midas Gold will locate its tailings storage facility in an area that is already impacted by past mining activity, whereas Alternative 3 would place it in an untouched area of the site. This unnecessarily exposes more of the surrounding environment to mining operations. For road safety, Alternative 2 reduces the risk of potential spills, minimizes sediment runoff to waterways, and avoids winter avalanche site whereas Alternative 4 would keep the access road where it is, adjacent to the river.

I urge you to approve the project as outlined by Midas Gold in Alternative 2, it is the best of the alternatives outlined by the USFS. The Stibnite Gold Project will provide a huge benefit to our community and the local environment. The USFS has taken meaningful measures to ensure the public has had enough time and resources during the public comment period.

Sincerely, Donald D. Bottcher


Name: Donald D. Bottcher
Email: blltsmth@hotmail.com
City: Idaho Falls
State: ID